ith more than 12,000 miles in Florida’s state highway system and approximately 1,350 miles of coastline, it has been said that the Sunshine
State is a driver’s paradise. But to think of those numbers only in the context of people traveling—some 22 million residents and 143 million visitors each year—is to tell only part of Florida’s story. The state’s transportation infrastructure also moves cargo at a volume and speed that quali es Florida as a logistics powerhouse. The ow of cargo and goods will not slow down anytime soon. Call it “future-proo ng”: The state and its logistics assets are on course with plans and improvements to ensure that Florida will continue to meet and exceed the needs of shippers and logistics providers for generations to come. In his scal year 2025-26 budget, for example, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced steps to support the state’s transportation network and infrastructure, including: • $13.8 billion for the state transportation work program to construct and maintain Florida’s transportation network. • The immediate advancement of $1.7 billion to expedite congestion relief along Interstate 4. • $25 million for Florida’s ports, logistics centers, fuel pipelines, and vertiports, which are specialized hubs designed for the take-off, landing, and servicing of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, such as drones and air taxis. The state is a crucial logistics hub for the United States and the Western Hemisphere, serving as a critical gateway for trade between North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Its importance stems from a combination of geographic advantages, robust infrastructure, and major ongoing investments. One signi cant player in the story of Florida’s leadership in logistics is Port Tampa Bay, the state’s largest and most diverse port. The port’s importance is set to increase with a project Congress authorized in 2024 to deepen the federal channel from 43 feet to 47 feet. Called the Tampa Harbor Navigation Improvement Project, the massive undertaking received federal funding for design and permitting this year. The estimated cost is approximately $1.1 billion. Financing for the deepening project comes from a federal, state, and local cost-share through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Florida Department of Transportation, and Port Tampa Bay. Other terminal expansions and equipment upgrades are funded through a mix of port revenues, state infrastructure grants, and private-partner investments.
November 2025 • Inbound Logistics 57
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